Aerosmith
In 1970, five musicians gathered in Boston to forge a new sound that would eventually define American hard rock. Steven Tyler had formed his own band called the Strangeurs in Yonkers, New York, while Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton played together in the Jam Band. They met drummer Joey Kramer at a gig in New Hampshire where Tyler immediately loved the Jam Band's sound. The group moved into a shared home at 1325 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston to write and rehearse music together. Kramer suggested the name Aerosmith after hearing Harry Nilsson's album Aerial Ballet which featured jacket art of a circus performer jumping out of a biplane. The band settled on this name after considering other options like the Hookers and Spike Jones. Their first official gig took place at Nipmuc Regional High School in Mendon, Massachusetts, on the 6th of November 1970. Ray Tabano joined as rhythm guitarist before Brad Whitford replaced him in 1971. The lineup solidified with Tyler, Perry, Hamilton, Kramer, and Whitford remaining constant for decades.
Aerosmith released their debut self-titled album in January 1973 which peaked at number 166 on the charts. The record went gold initially and eventually sold two million copies becoming double platinum after mainstream success arrived over a decade later. Get Your Wings followed in 1974 featuring rock radio hits like Same Old Song and Dance and Train Kept A-Rollin'. Toys in the Attic arrived in 1975 establishing Aerosmith as international stars competing with Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones. Sweet Emotion became the band's first Top 40 hit while Dream On reached number six making it their best charting single of the 1970s. Walk This Way re-released in 1976 reached the Top 10 in early 1977. Rocks came out in 1976 described by music historian Greg Prato as capturing Aerosmith at their most raw and rocking. It went platinum swiftly and featured two Top 40 hits including Last Child and Back in the Saddle. Both Toys in the Attic and Rocks appear on lists such as Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
By the end of the 1970s drug abuse began affecting performances and internal tensions grew within the group. Joe Perry left Aerosmith following a heated argument backstage at Cleveland Stadium on the 28th of July 1979 during the World Series of Rock festival. Perry formed his own side project known as The Joe Perry Project after taking some of his written music with him. Brad Whitford departed in 1981 to form a duo with Derek St. Holmes which failed to garner much interest. The album Rock in a Hard Place released the 27th of August 1982 reached number 32 on the Billboard 200 album chart but only one single charted. Tyler collapsed on stage during a show in Portland, Maine in 1980 and did not get up for the remainder of the set. He also suffered a serious motorcycle accident in fall 1980 leaving him hospitalized for two months unable to tour or record well into 1981. Perry later claimed Tyler spent $64 million on drugs though he scoffed that it was probably a very small portion of where they actually spent their money.
Aerosmith officially reunited with original members Perry and Whitford in February 1984 after discussions began when they saw each other perform at Boston's Orpheum Theater. The band signed to Geffen Records and completed drug rehabilitation programs starting in 1986 following an intervention by fellow band members and manager Tim Collins. Permanent Vacation released August 1987 became a major hit selling five million copies in the US with all three singles reaching the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. Steven Tyler revealed in his autobiography that this was the first album they ever did sober. Producer Bruce Fairbairn added sound effects and high-quality recording while outside songwriters like Desmond Child and Jim Vallance assisted with lyrics. Pump followed September 1989 featuring three top-ten singles including Love in an Elevator and Janie's Got a Gun. It eventually sold seven million copies spawning several music videos in regular rotation on MTV. The band won its first Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for Janie's Got a Gun.
Get a Grip debuted at number one in 1993 racking up sales of seven million copies in two-and-a-half years and over twenty million worldwide. The album included hard rocking tracks like Livin' on the Edge alongside power ballads such as Cryin' and Crazy which proved huge successes on radio and MTV. Music videos featured then up-and-coming actress Alicia Silverstone earning her the title of the Aerosmith chick for the first half of the decade. Nine Lives released March 1997 initially fell down charts but had long chart life selling double platinum in the United States alone. The single I Don't Want to Miss a Thing from the Armageddon soundtrack became their first and only number-one hit debuting at the top position on Billboard Hot 100 staying there for four weeks. The song was nominated for an Academy Award in 1999 helping open Aerosmith up to a new generation. They also achieved their fourth Grammy Award in 1999 for Pink winning Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal category.
Steven Tyler suffered vocal injury in 2023 during the third date of their farewell tour failing to recover fully. Aerosmith retired from touring officially in 2024 though they still occasionally play one-off shows. Tyler entered rehabilitation facilities in December 2009 managing addiction to painkillers brought on by injuries to knees legs and feet resulting from years of performing. He also faced head and neck injuries plus a broken shoulder after falling from stage at a concert in Sturgis South Dakota the 5th of August 2009. Joe Perry collapsed onstage the 10th of July 2016 suffering cardiac arrest but revived quickly returning to stable condition later that night. The band played select dates in Latin America Europe Asia and Australia throughout various tours including Global Warming Tour and Blue Army Tour. They canceled performances in Indonesia the 11th of May 2013 due to safety concerns and postponed shows in Western Canada following Tyler's injuries. Despite health issues and internal tensions the
group remained active until retirement announcement in 2024.
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Common questions
When did Aerosmith form and where?
Aerosmith formed in 1970 when five musicians gathered in Boston to forge a new sound that would eventually define American hard rock. The group moved into a shared home at 1325 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston to write and rehearse music together.
Who were the original members of Aerosmith and how was the name chosen?
The band consisted of Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer, and Brad Whitford after lineup changes occurred between 1970 and 1971. Joey Kramer suggested the name Aerosmith after hearing Harry Nilsson's album Aerial Ballet which featured jacket art of a circus performer jumping out of a biplane.
What albums established Aerosmith as international stars during the 1970s?
Toys in the Attic arrived in 1975 establishing Aerosmith as international stars competing with Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones. Rocks came out in 1976 described by music historian Greg Prato as capturing Aerosmith at their most raw and rocking while both albums appear on lists such as Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
When did Joe Perry leave Aerosmith and why?
Joe Perry left Aerosmith following a heated argument backstage at Cleveland Stadium on the 28th of July 1979 during the World Series of Rock festival. Perry formed his own side project known as The Joe Perry Project after taking some of his written music with him.
How many Grammy Awards has Aerosmith won and for what songs?
The band won its first Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for Janie's Got a Gun and achieved their fourth Grammy Award in 1999 for Pink winning Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal category.
Why did Aerosmith retire from touring officially in 2024?
Aerosmith retired from touring officially in 2024 though they still occasionally play one-off shows after Steven Tyler suffered vocal injury in 2023 during the third date of their farewell tour failing to recover fully.